Police Commissioner Richard Chambers on the beat at Gisborne’s Rhythm and Vines

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers looks forward to being with local police on the beat at R&V out at Waiohika Estate. Photo / NZME

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers will go on the beat with the police team at Waiohika Estate for Rhythm and Vines.

He will be joined by Eastern District Commander Jeanette Park before she takes up a new Assistant Commissioner role in February.

“As police staff know, I try to get out with the frontline as much as I possibly can because I enjoy it, but also because it is important the frontline is supported well,” Chambers said in a statement.

“That has been one of my priorities since day one.”

He said he had recently introduced a requirement for all senior sworn staff, regardless of rank or location, to support the front line and ensure police leaders were visible and connected.

“The new Frontline Service Model means over the next 12 months, about 600 Level 2 Responders will be deployed for a total of at least 40 hours each. It applies to sworn staff who work in predominantly office-based roles,” he said.

“This will contribute more than 25,000 hours of additional support to our frontline colleagues. It is a substantial investment in community safety and operational resilience.

“Their duties will include assisting with road policing, working at concerts and sports events, reassurance patrols and being out on the beat.”

Chambers said it freed up the frontline officers to do other jobs and provided extra resources for major investigations and busy peak seasons like summer.

The commissioner will be on the beat in Nelson for New Year’s Eve in memory of slain Nelson policewoman Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming.